Good Samaritan raises $5000 for local families

Through an online Facebook auction held over the holidays, Good Samaritan raised $2,500, which will be matched by a Wal-Mart grant, to total $5,000 for their facility.

"The idea for an online auction was to spotlight local business during the holiday shopping season with an item to be auctioned off daily," says Carrie Turner, owner of the Burger Stand and the coordinator for the auction.

The auction ran from the Friday after Thanksgiving until Dec. 20. Items included gift certificates, sports tickets, hotel offers, etc.

"The people of Richland overwhelmed me with their support and interest for the auction," said Turner.

In addition to the auction, Market Basket Catering provided a lasagna lunch, which helped raise $1,000 of the goal.

"Being a part of the community of Richland helps us grow. It was a pleasure to help raise the money for the food pantry," said Barb Bolan, owner of Market Basket Catering. This grant will provide an additional $500 each month to purchase food for local families to the Good Samaritan's Pantry. All the money raised will remain in the Richland community.

Good Samaritan's Waynesville food pantry aims to receive the same Walmart grant this winter by raising $2,500 by March 15.

"We would love to see the Waynesville/St. Robert/Fort Leonard Wood community get on board and help us feed even more struggling families in 2013," said Connie Chambers, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Resource Center.

In 2012 Good Samaritan provided:

-Genesis: A Place of New Beginnings, Good Sam’s domestic violence program gave shelter and services to over 200 women and children.

-Good Samaritan made Christmas wishes come true for 842 children in Pulaski County.

-Good Samaritan provides services to the poor and to the abused 365 days a year and recognizes that this could not be accomplished without the compassionate generosity of the Pulaski County community and beyond!